WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A TEACHER OR SCHOOL STAFF?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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ST. RITA HIGH SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Abuse at St. Rita High School in Illinois
St. Rita High School in Chicago, IL faces lawsuits alleging students were sexually abused by clergy and teachers, with claims resulting in settlements.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating allegations of sexual abuse involving individuals affiliated with the school, including members of the clergy and faculty, and examining whether institutional failures contributed to the harm.
St. Rita High School is a Catholic secondary school located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The school has been identified in reports involving members of the Order of St. Augustine who served in educational and supervisory roles.
Allegations include sexual misconduct by clergy and teachers spanning multiple decades, with claims that minors were abused by individuals in positions of authority. These reports raise concerns about patterns of misconduct within the institution during that time.
Additional claims point to failures in oversight, including inadequate responses to prior allegations, lack of proper investigation, and broader institutional negligence that may have allowed abuse to continue.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
Sex Abuse Scandals at St. Rita High School in Illinois
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse within Catholic Illinois schools, include the following:
- In June 2024, the Augustinian Catholic Order released a list of clergy members credibly accused of child sexual abuse. Some individuals were associated with St. Rita High School, including:
- Mark Thedens
- Frank Paduch
Thedens previously taught Spanish and led the choir at the facility. In 1997, a lawsuit was filed against Paduch, former teacher at the facility, alleging that he molested a boy in Chicago during the early 1980s.
- In March 2019, a report indicated that Rev. Michael P. Hogan, allegedly sexually abused a student at St. Rita High School in Illinois in the 1960s.
Hogan was a teacher at the facility and was a member of the Order of St. Augustine.
The church allegedly failed to properly investigate the abuse.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a teacher or staff at a school.
- The abuse occurred at any school.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold schools accountable for their failures to stop abusive teachers and staff.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
We are investigating claims of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by Illinois clergy and the religious institutions that failed to protect survivors.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy members. Our team is dedicated to providing legal support to survivors and holding accountable those who have committed these crimes. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that the trust placed in religious institutions is restored.
Illinois Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims will not be able to file a claim or recover compensation.
Determining the statute of limitations in your claim can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims brought by victims who were abused as minors is generally as follows:
- Claims brought by survivors of childhood sexual abuse (abuse that occurred when the victim was under 18 years of age) may be commenced at any time for victims who were born on or after July 24, 1983.
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against an Illinois school or Illinois Catholic school can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in schools. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.